Dynamometer



Oct. 15, 1940.

A C. C. BENNETT DYNAMOMETER File March 17, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR- CZ 0004- Cf BENNETT ATTORNEY.

[ Oct. 15, 1940.

c. c. BENNETT 2,218,463

DYNAMOMETER Fi'led March 17, 1938 I 5 Shets-S heet 3 TTORNEY. v

J '0ct.-l 5,'1940.* v "cc. BENNETT ,2

DYNAMOMETER 7 Filed March '17, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Czal/of C Btu/var? Patented Oct '15, 1940 PATENT OFFICE DYNAMOMETER 1Claude 0. Bennett, South Bend, Ind., asslgnor to A. E. Feragen, lncseattle, Wash, a corpora.-

tion or. Washington Application March 17, 1938, sci-ial No. 196,340

13 Claims. (Cl. 188-90) This invention relates to dynamometers. Thisapplication is acontinuation in part of my application for LettersPatent on improvements in Absorption dynamometers, filed September 18,1937, Serial Number 164,438, which has matured into Patent No. 2,189,189dated Feb 6, 1940. y

- An object of the invention is'to increase the eiiiciency of anabsorption dynamometer, particularly the energy absorbing capacitythereof. Another object of the invention is to provide an absorptiondynamometer in which friction may be minimized.

Another object of the invention isto provide a dvnamometer operative tobuild up any desired load, to maintain a true and steady torque, and toquickly dissipate the heat generated.

. A further object of the invention-is to provide a dynamometer having atransmission for efiecting a change in the operative speeds thereof.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the ensuingdescription of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in thefollowing drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical viewillustrating the dynamometer coupled to an engine under test;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a dynamometer embodying theinvention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of thedynamometer, partly broken away andpartly in section;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the torque'transmitting apparatus; k

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the dynamometer and torque transmittingmechanism; Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially on line 6.6, Fig. 2;i

Fig. 7 is a sectional view substantially online Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view substantially on line 8--8, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9 is. a sectional view substantially on line 9-9. Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, Ill represents corresponding pedestalsproviding suitable supports for the unit. The pedestals have thereinaligned bearings I2 and I4 supporting for rotation a shaft l6. .Theshaft has fitted thereon spaced bearings l8 supporting a combinedabsorption dynamometer 20 and'transmission 22. The rotor of thedynamometer is fixedlysecured to a sleeve 24 1 slipped over the shaftand suitably mounted inbearings carried by'the dynamometerand-transmission for rotation on an axis, common to the shaft. '5 Theshaft. is adapted to be coupled as universal joint 26to a driven shaft28 coupled through a conventional transmission 30 to the crank shait'oian engine 32 mounted on adjustable supports 3|. A pedestal 36 supportsan instrument board 38,.and arranged'on'this board is a tachometer 4osuitably connected to the shaft 5 I6 so as to indicate the speed of theshaft and, consequently, the speed of the engine. The board also hasthereon a gauge 42, calibrated in units of torque and connected, to thestator of the dynamometer, and a water gauge 44 connected in a watersystem controlled as by valves 46 and 48 and connected to the inlet andexhaust ports of the dynamometer.

The dynamometer 28 includes a rotor, indicated generally at 50. Thisrotor comprises a plurality of blades 52 arranged in spaced relation toone another on the sleeve 24 and suitably keyed to the sleeve. Each ofthe rotor blades includes a hub 54 having an axial bore for thereception of the sleeve 24, an annular web 56 formed centrally of, thehub, a substantial. rim 58 on the web, corresponding groups of radialvanes 50 arranged in oppositely disposed relation to one another on therespective sides of the web so that the vanes on both sides of the rotorare all inclined in the same direction as the direction of rotation ofthe blades. Each of the rotor blades also includes spaced transversevanes 62 on the The radial vanes 60 are formed integral with the hub,the web, and the rim, and extend outwardly from the web toward theopposite ends of the dynamometer 2|! so as to provide pockets 64, andthe edges of the vanes included in the respective groups arein planescommon to the ends of the hub and the edges of the rim.

A stator, indicated generally at 66, encloses the rotor. The stator ismounted for oscillation on' the bearings I8, and the rotor is secured tothe sleeve 24 supported for rotation in bearings 68. The stator includescorresponding oppositely disposed end plates IB and 12, each comprisinga hub ll having an axial bore for the reception of the sleeve 24, and astufiing box It having therein suitable packing material and a packingring' 18 suitably secured against displacement.

The. hub 14 has formed thereon at its outer end an annular plate 00provided witharim82 ina plane substantially through the center of thehub, and the rim is provided with an annular shoulder 84 and a pluralityof spaced openings 86. The in ner face of the plate at is dished, andhas formed thereon a raised portion 88, substantially semielliptical incross-section, and aplurality of radial vanes 98 integral with the huband rim providing in conjunction with the annular raised portion dividedpockets 92. The radial vanes on the plate are arranged in oppositelydisposed'relation to the radial vanes on the end plate 12, and the vanesof the respective end plates are reversely disposed to the vanes 60 onthe adjacent rotor blades 52.

Stator plates 94 having blades and spacer rings' 96 are arrangedalternately between the end plates 10 and 12, and transverse rods 98,extending through the openings 86 in the rims of the end plates, alignedopenings in the rims of the stator plates 94, and through the spacerrings, serve to fixedly secure these members together. Each of thestator plates 94 includes a hub I 00 having an axial bore for thereception of the sleeve 24 with substantial clearance providing for freepassage of fluid through the hub, and formed integrally with andcentrally of the hub is a web I02 supporting a rim I04 having an annularshoulder I06 on its respective edges, the purpose of which willhereinafter appear, and spaced openings I08 for the reception of therods 98.

The web I02-has an enlarged portion substantially elliptical incross-section providing a semi elliptical raised surface IIO on bothsides of the web, and corresponding groups of radial vanes I I2 formedon the respective sides of the web integral with the hub and the rimprovide, in conjunction I with the annular raised surfaces, dividedpockets- II4. The surfaces 88 and H0 are annular except whereinterrupted by the portions 10 and H2 respectively. The vanes H2 in therespective groups incline outwardly from the hub in directions reverselydisposed to the vanes 60 on the adjacent rotor blades 52, and the edgesof the vanes H2 in the respective groups are in planes common to therespective ends of the hub I00 and the respective edges of the rim I04,

The webs I02 of the stator blades are'each provided with radial ribs H6and H8. The rib H6 is bored to provide a fluid delivery passage I20extending from the bore of the hub I00 through the rim I04, and securedin the outer end of this passage is a nipple I22 connected by suitablefittings I24 and a flexible hose I26 to the water system controlled bythe valves 46 and 48. The other rib II8 has a bore providingan airintake passage I28 controlled as by a valve I30, and formed on the rimof one of the stator blades 94 is a flange I 32 for a torquetransmitting mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Each of the spacer rings 96 encircles one of the rotor blades 52, andeach ring has on its respective edge corresponding annular shoulders I34complementary to the annular shoulders of the adjacent end plate 10 or12 and the annular shoulders on the adjacent stator blades so as tointerlock and completely seal the stator casing. Each of the .spacerrings 96 has an off-set portion I36 provided .with an outlet opening.I40 having secured therein a nipple I42 connected by suitable fittingsI44 and a flexible hose I46 to a suitable draim A torque transmitting.arm I48, bolted or othefwise secured to the flange I32 on the rim of oneof the stator blades 94, has secured thereon adjacent its free end ablade I50, and adjustably mounted on a. fixed support I52 is a pivotedarm I54 having a ratchet I56 receiving the blade I50. Arranged on thefixed support I52, beneath'the 'free end of the pivoted arm 'I54, is afluid pressure producing device I58 including a cylinder I60 and apiston I62 movable in the cylinder.

The piston has a rod I64 engagedby the free end of the pivoted leverI54, and the cylinder is connected as by a fluid pressure delivery pipeI66 to the torque indicating gauge 42 on the instrument board.

The transmission 22 is of the two-speed type. As shown; the transmissionincludes a housing I68 mounted for oscillation with the dynamometer. Acounter or jack shaft I10 is journaled in the wall of the housing, andsuitably supported between the shaft I6 and the jack shaft I10 is a I12has a. fork I92 engaging the slidable gear I80 on the jack shaft and afork I96 engaging the slidable gear I88 on the shaft I6, and a shiftinglever I98 suitably secured to the yoke I90 as at 200 extends through theside of the casing.

By actuating the lever I 98 the transmission may be shifted from low tohigh speed, or from highto low speed, at the will of the operator. Asshown, the transmission is in the neutral position, from which it may beshifted to either the low speed position or to the high speed position.When it is desired to shift the transmission to the low speed position,the shifting rod is actuated to move the slidable gear I80 intoengagement with the internal gear I18 on the pinion I16. This results incoupling the pinion I16 to the jack shaft I10 so as to complete thetrain of gearing from the shaft I6and driving gear I14 keyed theretothrough the pinion I16 and slidable gear I 80 to the jack shaft I10,thence through the gear I82 keyed on the jack shaft to the gear I84keyed on the sleeve 24. When shifting the transmission from the lowspeed to high speed position, the shifting lever is actuated todisengage the slidable gear I80 from the internal gear I18 of the pinionI16, and to engage the slidable gear I68 with the internal gear I86 ofthe gear I86 keyed on the sleeve 24 so that the sleeve may be coupleddirectly to the shaft I6.

In operation, the shaft I6 is connected at one end by the universaljoint 26 to the crank shaft of an engine, a motor, or other apparatussuch as for example the engine 32, the torque or other characteristicsof which it is desired to test. The shaft supports a two-speed, or asingle over-drive speed transmission 22 interlocked with the absorptiondynamometer 20, and also supports drive gears I14 and I80 which maydirectly or indirectly engage gears IBEand I86 on the sleeve 24 carryingthe rotor of the dynamometer. The other end of the.shaft is suitablyconnected to the tachometer 40 for indicating the speed of the shaft,and, consequently, the speed of the engine. The stator of thedynamometer is connected to a suitable type of pressure gauge 42,preferably calibrated in units of torque, through a torquetransmittingarm I48 secured to the stator, and a suitable fluidtransmission means and a water supply system including the'gauge 44 issuitably connected to the dynamometer.

When the dynamometer is connected to the engine and gauges ashereinabove described, the operator opensthe outlet valve 48 and closesthe inlet valve 46, and the engine 32 or the motor, or 76 I otherapparatus under tests is then set in motion.

the torque gauge connected to the stator begins to indicate pressure.

When the water is admitted into the casing and distributed between thestator blades-and rotor blades, it is projected by centrifugal forceoutwardly toward the periphery of the casing. Due to the vanes on therespective stator blades and rotor blades, and particularly to theiropposed relation to one another, the water is agitated to a very highdegree; and because of the structure of the stator blades, particularlythe annular semielliptical surfaces on the respective sides thereof,providing in conjunction with the vanes divided pockets, back eddies ofWater are created resulting in intensifying the turbulence of the water.

As is well known, the friction between the water and the stator androtorresults in heating the Water to a very high-temperature, and it is'by this means that the energy developed by the engine under test isabsorbed by the dynamometer. When releasing the water from theresistance unit to-decrease the torque or lower the power absorptionthereof, it is desirable toeffect a quick release, and to that end therotor blades 52 are prowhirl the water at the outside of the hub at highspeed and thus by centrifugal force efliciently expel the water throughthe offset portions I36. The release of the water from the unit mayresult in the creation of a partial vacuum, and to overcome this thestator blades are equipped with air inlets extending from the peripheryto the center, and these are controlled by air valv'es I30. The load onthe engine may be varied by operating the inlet and outlet controlvalves of the water system, and the speed of the engine may be governedby operating the conventional engine controls, and'l through the mediumof a definitely fixed water flow through the inlet and outlet valves,the heat is dissipated, permitting a. continuous test over.

' In completing the test, the engine is operatedv with wide-openthrottle and the control of the dynamometer set so as to maintain aconstant resistance or load on the engine. Under these conditions, theoperator takes a reading of the tachometer and of the torque gauge, andwith these two factors known, the horse power of the engine may becomputed in accordance with established practice.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certainspecific embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible ofnumerousother applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in theart. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims.

secure by Letters Patent is 1. A dynamometer comprising .a rotatableshaft, a sleeve slipped over the shaft and supported for rotationrelative thereto on anaxis common to the shaft, corresponding end platesoscillable on the shaft, radial vanes on the end plates, a plurality ofcorresponding stator blades, radial vanes on the sides of the statorblades, spacer rings alternating with the stator blades, the statorblades and spacer rings interlocking with one another and with the endplates and providing in conjunction therewith a housing rotor bladessecured to the sleeve alternating with the stator blades, means on theperipheries of the rotorblades for expelling fluid from the housing, andmeans controlling the inlets and outlets.

2. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft, a sleeve slipped over theshaft and supported for rotation on an axis common to the shaft, spacedannular end plates oscillable on the shaft, radial vanes on the endplates extending toward the center of the dynamometer therefrom, thevanes on the end plates being inclined both to planes passingperpendicular to and through the shaft axis, an assembly of statorblades and spacer rings clamped between the end plates and providing inconjunction therewith a housing, each of the'spacer rings having adischarge port, radial vanes on the stator blades inclined outwardlytherefrom, the vanes on one side of the stator blades being reverselydisposed to the vanes on the other side thereof, each of thestatorblades having a fluid intake passage and an air intake passage,both passages extending from the periphery of the blade inwardly andopening adjacent the sleeve, rotor blades secured to the shaftalternating with the stator blades, radial vanes on the sides of therotor blades inclined outwardly,-

the vanes on one side being reversely disposed to .the van-es on theother side, spaced transverse vanes on the rims of the rotor blades,valves controlling the air inlets, and means for controlling the fiuidinlet and outlet.

3..A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft; a sleeve slipped over theshaft and supported for relative rotation on an axis common to theshaft; a stator comprising corresponding end plates oscillatable on theshaft, an assembly adapted to contain fluid having inlets and outlets,

of stator blades and spacer rings arranged alternately between the end.plates and providing in conjunction therewith a housing for containingfluid having inlets and outlets; a rotor comprising rotor blades keyedto the sleeve and alternating with the stator blades, transverse vaneson the rimsof the rotor blades dispelling fluid from the housing; meansfor controlling the inlets and the outlets; and means for. coupling theshaft and the sleeve. 7

4. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft; a sleeve slipped over theshaft and supported for relative rotation on an axis common to theshaft; a stator comprising corresponding end plates oscillable on theshaft, radial vanes on the end plates extendingtowards the center of thedynamometer, the vanes on theend plates being inclined both to planespassing perpendicular to and through the shaft axis, an assembly ofstator blades and spacer rims clamped between the end plates andproviding in conjunction therewith a housing having inlets and outlets,radial vanes on both sides of the stator blades; a rotor comprisingrotor blades on the sleeve alternating with the stator blades, radialvanes on the rotor blades reversely disposed to the vanes on theadjacent stator blades, and transverse vanes on the rims of spacedstator blades in the case, a sleeve slipped the rotor blades for rapiddisplacement of fluid from the housing; means for controlling the inletsand outlets; and means for coupling the shaft and the sleeve.

5. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft; a sleeve slipped over theshaft and supported for relative rotation on an axis common to theshaft; a stator oscillable on the shaft comprising corresponding endplates rotatable on the shaft, radial vanes on the end plates extendingtherefrom toward the center of the dynamometer, the'vanes-on the endplates being inclined both to planes passing perpendicular to andthrough the shaft axis, an assembly of stator blades and spacer ringsclamped between the end plates and providing in conjunction therewith ahousing having inlets and outlets, and radial vanes on both sides of thestator blades; a rotor secured to the sleeve comprising rotor blades onthe shaft alternating with the stator blades, radial vanes on the rotorblades extending outwardly from the blades towards the end of thedynamometer and inclined both to planes passing perpendicular to andthrough the shaft axis, and transverse vanes on the rims of the rotorblades for displacing fluid from the housing through the outlets; meansfor controlling the inlets and outlets; and means for coupling the shaftand the sleeve.

6. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft, a case directly carriedby and'supported for oscillation on the shaft and having inlets andoutlets, a plurality of spaced stator blades in the case, a sleeveslipped over the shaft and supported for rotation on the case,- rotorblades secured-to the sleeve for cooperation withthe stator blades, andmeans for control of the inlets and outlets.

'7. A dynamometer comprising a shaft supported for rotation, a casesupported for oscillation on the shaft-and having fluid inlets andoutlets, a plurality of spaced stator blades in the case, a sleeveslipped over the shaft and supported for rotation on the case, aplurality of rotor blades secured to the sleeve alternating with thestator blades, vanes on the peripheryof the rotor blades for rapidly"displacing fluid from the case, and means for control of the inlets andoutlets.

8. A dynamometer comprising a shaft supported for rotation, a casedirectly carried by and supported for oscillation on the shaft andhaving controlled'fluid inlets and outlets, a plurality of over theshaft and-supported for rotation on the case, a plurality of rotorblades secured to the sleeve alternating with the stator plates, and

spaced vanes on the periphery of the rotor plates 7 for rapiddisplacement of fluid from the case through the fluid outlets.

9. A dynamometer comprising a shaft supported for rotation, a casesupported for oscillation on the shaft, fluid outlets in the wall of thecase, a plurality of stator blades secured in the wall of the casing,fluid inlets extended radially through the stator blades and openingadjacent outlets, and means for control of the inlets and outlets.

10. A dynamometer comprising a shaft supported for rotation, is, casesupported for oscillation on the shaft, a plurality of stator blades inthe case, fluid inlets discharging substantially centrally of the case,an air inlet discharging substantially centrally of the case, fluidoutlets in the wall of the case, means for control of inlets andoutlets, a. sleeve slipped over the shaft and supported for rotation onthe case, a plurality of rotor blades secured to the sleeve in alternaterelation to the stator blades, and spaced vanes on the peripheries ofthe rotor blades for rapid displacement of fluid from the casing uponopening of the fluid outlets.

11. A dynamometer comprising a shaft supported adjacent its ends foraxial rotation, a case carried by and supported for oscillation on theshaft, a plurality of stator blades in the case having vanes on theirsides, an air inlet discharging through the stator blades substantiallycentrally of the case, fluid inlets discharging through the statorblades substantially centrally of the case, fluid outlets in the wall ofthe case, means for control 'of the inlets and outlets, a sleeve slippedover the shaft and supported for rotation on the case, a plurality ofrotor blades secured to the sleeve. alternating with the stator bladesand having vanes on their sides opposed to the vanes on the sides of thestator blades,-and spaced vanes on the peripheries of the rotor bladesadapted to rapidly sweep fluid from the casing upon opening of theoutlets.

12. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft, a casing having fluidinlet and outlet means carried by and directly supported for oscillationon the shaft, a plurality of spaced stator blades in the casing, asleeve associated with the shaft and supported for rotation on thecasing, rotor blades secured to the sleeve for cooperation with thestator blades, and meansjor controlling the fluid inlet and outletmeans.

13. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft, a casing having fluidinlet and outlet means carried by and directly supported for oscillationon the shaft, a plurality of spaced stator blades in trol the speed ofrotation of the rotatable element.

to vary the power absorbed by the dynamometer.

CLAUDE C. BENNE'I'I.

